Bulgaria joins NATO European air defence project

The defence ministers of 14 countries, including Bulgaria, signed a declaration on a European air defence initiative.

Germany, Bulgaria, the UK, Slovakia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia announced yesterday (October 12) a cooperation project to create a better European air defence system. It provides for the countries to participate in the joint acquisition of Arrow 3 and Peitrit systems.

NATO's nuclear deterrence plans are the focus of the second day of Alliance defence ministers. It was agreed yesterday to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine by strengthening the country's air defences and working to replenish its own stockpiles of weapons and ammunition. Bulgaria is represented at the meeting by the caretaker Minister of Defence, Dimitar Stoyanov.

NATO defence ministers are meeting just days after the start of a wave of Russian missile strikes on many Ukrainian cities. The pact's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said on October 13 ahead of the meeting that support for Ukraine would be increased. A number of countries pledged more military aid to Ukraine and air defence systems

"I welcome the unprecedented support that the United States has provided to Ukraine, but also the unprecedented support that European allies, Canada and partners are providing to Ukraine. I think the message from NATO allies and partners and the Ukraine Defence Contact Group yesterday that we will support Ukraine for as long as necessary is very important," Stoltenberg said.

Allied assistance to Ukraine includes missiles and radars, and Germany has already sent a high-tech system to Ukraine. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also congratulated all those increasing military aid and reiterated his country's commitments to other members of the pact.

"The other thing we've said over and over again is that the United States is absolutely committed to our Article 5 commitments and we stand ready to defend every inch of NATO territory if and when it comes to it," Lloyd Austin assured.

Stoltenberg and Lloyd Austin welcomed the strong message sent by tonight's UN resolution condemning Russia's attempts to illegally annex four Ukrainian regions and calling on Putin to reconsider his decisions and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.